2 Corinthians 6 9

2 Corinthians 6:9 kjv

As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

2 Corinthians 6:9 nkjv

as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;

2 Corinthians 6:9 niv

known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed;

2 Corinthians 6:9 esv

as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;

2 Corinthians 6:9 nlt

We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.

2 Corinthians 6 verses

2 Corinthians 6 9 Meaning

This verse succinctly captures the paradoxical nature of the apostle Paul’s ministry and the life of true believers. It highlights how, from a worldly perspective, Paul and his companions were often despised, considered insignificant, constantly near death, and subjected to severe suffering. Yet, in spiritual reality and by divine design, they were profoundly known and valued, perpetually preserved for life and ministry, and endured God's corrective discipline without being utterly destroyed. These three antithetical statements demonstrate that God's power and purposes are revealed through their apparent weaknesses and suffering.

2 Corinthians 6 9 Context

This verse is part of Paul's impassioned defense of his apostolic ministry to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 2:14-7:4). In 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, Paul provides a "catalog of hardships and virtues," meticulously listing the ways he and his co-workers commended themselves as ministers of God. This list served as a sharp contrast to false apostles who likely boasted in outward appearance, worldly wisdom, or signs of human success. The Corinthian church, being a worldly and fractured community, often judged spiritual authority by external indicators. Paul, therefore, presented his persistent suffering, steadfastness, and endurance through overwhelming tribulations not as a sign of weakness, but as authentic evidence of divine strength working through him, confirming his legitimacy and integrity as a messenger of the Gospel. Verse 9 specifically elaborates on the paradoxical nature of their existence in the world and under God’s care.

2 Corinthians 6 9 Word analysis

• as unknown (ὡς ἀγνοούμενοι - hōs agnooumenoi):

  • agnooumenoi is a present passive participle from agnoeō meaning "to be ignorant of," "to not know," or "to ignore." It describes a continuous state of being unrecognized, disregarded, or unacknowledged by society.
  • Significance: Paul and his companions lacked worldly status, prestige, or conventional recognition. They were treated as nobodies, often scorned and dismissed, particularly by the dominant Greco-Roman culture that valued social standing and oratorical prowess. This polemically contrasts with those who sought fame and visible status.

• and yet well known (καὶ γνωριζόμενοι - kai gnōrizomenoi):

  • gnōrizomenoi is a present passive participle from gnōrizō meaning "to make known" or "to come to know," or "to be recognized." The conjunction "kai" (and, yet) introduces a strong contrast.
  • Significance: This is a striking paradox. While ignored by the world, they were intimately known by God (Gal 1:1, Ps 139). They were also known by those whom they served and who came to faith through their ministry (1 Thess 2:1-2), and their sufferings made them known to all. Their "fame" was not earthly, but heavenly and in the context of their spiritual impact.

• as dying (ὡς ἀποθνήσκοντες - hōs apothnēskontes):

  • apothnēskontes is a present active participle from apothnēskō meaning "to be dying," "to be at the point of death," or "to be mortal." It depicts a continual state of facing death.
  • Significance: This refers to the constant physical perils, persecutions, and suffering Paul described in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. Their lives were in constant jeopardy for the sake of the Gospel. They lived under a continuous sentence of death (2 Cor 4:10-12), offering themselves daily as a living sacrifice.

• and behold, we live (καὶ ἰδοὺ ζῶμεν - kai idou zōmen):

  • idou is an interjection meaning "behold!" or "look!", drawing attention to something remarkable and unexpected. zōmen is a present active indicative, "we live."
  • Significance: Despite the imminent threat of death and their constant vulnerability, God miraculously preserved their physical lives to continue their ministry. More profoundly, it signifies the resurrection life of Christ animating them (2 Cor 4:11), providing spiritual vitality even when physically weak. This highlights God's power over death.

• as disciplined (ὡς παιδευόμενοι - hōs paideuomenoi):

  • paideuomenoi is a present passive participle from paideuō, which means "to educate," "to train," "to discipline," "to chastise," or "to correct," often involving harshness or punishment.
  • Significance: This refers to the trials, hardships, and afflictions experienced by the apostles as forms of divine training or correction. These sufferings were not necessarily punishments for sin but were meant to refine, mature, and purify them, similar to a loving father's discipline (Heb 12:5-11). It highlights a purposeful, often painful, process of growth orchestrated by God.

• and not killed (καὶ μὴ ἀποκτεννόμενοι - kai mē apoktennomenoi):

  • apoktennomenoi is a present passive participle from apokteinō meaning "to kill" or "to slay" (often intentionally by others). This is distinct from apothnēskō ("to die").
  • Significance: Even when facing severe discipline and life-threatening situations where enemies sought to actively kill them, God ensured their survival. His protective hand kept them from utter destruction, allowing them to continue their work. It signifies divine intervention preventing the final, decisive blow of death at the hands of adversaries, despite profound suffering.

Words-group analysis:

• "as unknown, and yet well known": This phrase embodies the contrast between human perception and divine reality. It emphasizes that while Paul and his colleagues might be ignored or disdained by human standards and earthly power structures, they possessed profound significance and recognition in the spiritual realm and through the genuine fruit of their ministry. Their true authority came from God, not from social acceptance.
• "as dying, and behold, we live": This powerfully illustrates the triumph of life over death, of divine preservation over mortal peril. It highlights God's sustaining power that grants life and continuance in the face of constant mortal danger. Their very existence was a testimony to God’s power and the resurrection life of Christ working through them.
• "as disciplined, and not killed": This segment focuses on the purpose of suffering. God's disciplinary hand, which brings profound pain and challenges, does not aim to destroy but to perfect and purify. It reveals that the ultimate purpose of divine chastisement for believers is not annihilation, but refinement and continued service, demonstrating God's ultimate mercy and faithfulness.

2 Corinthians 6 9 Bonus section

These three paradoxical statements form part of a larger literary device employed by Paul, known as an "antithetical catalog" or "catalogue of hardships." This rhetorical strategy aims to impress upon the reader the extreme nature of his experiences while simultaneously demonstrating God's sustaining grace. The paradoxes highlight the tension between the outward, visible experience of affliction and the inward, spiritual reality of divine power and preservation. This aligns with Paul's overarching theme in 2 Corinthians: God's strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9-10), and the treasure of the gospel is held in fragile, earthly vessels (2 Cor 4:7). Paul uses these contrasts not to wallow in self-pity but to authenticate his ministry and challenge the Corinthians' superficial understanding of true spiritual authority. The life of Christ Himself embodied these paradoxes—despised yet divine, crucified yet resurrected, rejected yet the cornerstone. Thus, the apostles' experience mirrors their Lord's, testifying to the very heart of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 6 9 Commentary

This verse functions as a concise summary of the paradoxical reality of Paul’s apostolic ministry, central to his defense in 2 Corinthians. Rather than boasting in worldly success, Paul affirms his ministry through profound vulnerability and suffering. Each antithetical pair juxtaposes worldly perception and expectation with divine truth and supernatural endurance. "Unknown yet well-known" speaks to status, challenging earthly definitions of importance by asserting divine recognition. "Dying yet we live" addresses physical mortality and vitality, showing God’s preserving power through constant threats. "Disciplined yet not killed" concerns the nature and outcome of suffering, asserting that divine correction leads to refinement and continued life, not destruction. Through these stark contrasts, Paul reveals that his weakness, suffering, and marginalization are not deficits but rather platforms for God's glory and the manifestation of His powerful, life-giving presence. It validates the authenticity of his apostleship not despite, but because of, his tribulations, which are overcome by God’s sustaining grace. This reality profoundly informs Christian understanding of suffering and God's call.

• Example 1: A pastor diligently serving a small, unnoticed community might be "unknown" to the wider church, yet "well known" to God and the lives he has profoundly impacted.
• Example 2: A missionary in a dangerous land daily faces life-threatening situations ("as dying"), but through divine protection, they continue to spread the Gospel and remain alive ("and behold, we live").
• Example 3: A believer enduring a severe financial or health crisis ("as disciplined") might feel overwhelmed, but God sustains them through it without completely destroying their spirit or faith ("and not killed"), using it to deepen their trust.